Here are the can’t miss games coming out in August 2015

If you’re a gamer, there’s one thing you can be certain of every August: it’s Madden NFL time! I’m really excited for the next Madden entry, but I’m also looking forward to some incredible exclusive games available this month, like PlayStation 4’s teen horror game Until Dawn, and Xbox One’s enhanced back catalogue titles, Rare Replay and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. We’ve also got Disney Infinity 3.0: Star Wars Edition coming out, so there is something for everyone this month!

Here are games releasing in August you definitely won’t want to miss!

[Note: The below release dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of the game publisher at any time]

Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight
Release Date: August 4
Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS
ESRB Rating: T (Teen 13+)

Now here’s a game I’m particularly excited about! Ever since the Etrian Odyssey franchise debuted on Nintendo DS, I’ve been hooked on its unique blend of traditional Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) elements with a retro cartography system that requires you draw your own dungeon maps using the touch screen and stylus. Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight offers two games in one: (1) Story Mode, a full remake of Etrian Odyssey 2: Heroes of Lagaard with a fixed party of adventurers, and (2) Classic Mode, an upgraded version of Etrian Odyssey 2 with new dungeon layouts and other improvements. This game will provide dozens of hours of JRPG goodness, so if you love story-driven games, stat-building, and old school map drawing, put this one on your list!

 
Rare Replay
Release Date: August 4
Platform(s): Xbox One
ESRB Rating: E to M (Everyone to Mature – rating varies by game)

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of UK-based game studio Rare Ltd., comes Rare Replay, a compilation of thirty games from the company’s extensive back catalogue. The collection includes tons of fan-favourite classics, such as R.C. Pro-Am, Battletoads, and Banjo-Kazooie, plus some of the studio’s newer Xbox 360 titles like Viva Piñata and Kameo. What I’m most excited about is the inclusion of Perfect Dark, one of the greatest first-person shooters of all time!

 
Until Dawn
Release Date: August 25
Platform(s): PlayStation 4
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

Later in the month we’re getting treated with the long-awaited release of Sony’s teen survival horror title, Until Dawn. One of the big reasons why I can’t wait to play this game is its impressive, star-studded cast that includes Hayden Panettiere (Heroes), Rami Malek (Twilight), Peter Stormare (Prison Break), and Brett Dalton (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). In the game you alternate taking control of several teenagers trapped in remote mountain cabin as they’re hunted by a deranged serial killer. If you’re a fan of story-driven narratives where your actions determine the outcome (à la Heavy Rain or Beyond: Two Souls), then be sure to mark August 25th on your calendar!

Remember—if you pre-order Until Dawn online on BestBuy.ca, you will get the Until Dawn Bonus Chapter.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
Release Date: August 25
Platform(s): Xbox One
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

At this year’s Microsoft E3 Press Conference, we saw the debut gameplay trailer for Gears of War 4, a game expected for release near the end of 2016. To prepare yourself for this next big entry in the series, why not check out this month’s Gears of War Ultimate Edition? It’s a fully remastered version of the original, now with 1080p visuals, 5 new campaign chapters, and new multiplayer modes. As a sweet bonus, Microsoft recently announced that if you play Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on Xbox Live from Aug. 25 through Dec. 31, 2015, you’ll get access to the entire Xbox 360 Gears of War collection (4 games in total) for use on Xbox One through Backward Compatibility when it launches this fall. How great is that!

 
Madden NFL 16
Release Date: August 25
Platform(s):

Standard Edition – PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 3 / Xbox One / Xbox 360

Deluxe Edition – PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 3 / Xbox One / Xbox 360

Xbox One 1TB Madden NFL 16 Bundle

ESRB Rating: E ​​(Everyone)

The juggernaut that is Madden returns this August on PlayStation and Xbox platforms. Expect large presentation improvements in this year’s edition with innovative new on-the-field cameras that will give an up-close, dynamic view of each play, along with the new wirecam that brings you closer to the action than ever before. A revamped tutorial system specifically designed with new players in mind means that Madden NFL 16 will be the most accessible version yet.

There are two versions of Madden NFL 16 available―Standard and Deluxe editions―each with their own pre-order bonus. Be sure to check this post for details!

 
Dishonored: Definitive Edition
Release Date: August 25
Platform(s): PlayStation 4 / Xbox One
ESRB Rating: M (Mature 17+)

Another title announced at E3 2015, Dishonored: Definitive Edition is bringing us the original, award-winning game, and all its DLC, to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for the very first time. That means you’ll be getting an enhanced version of this stealth game classic, plus the four downloadable expansions―Dunwall City Trials, The Knife of Dunwall, The Brigmore Witches and Void Walker’s Arsena―all in one box. The sequel to Dishonored is in development now, making Dishonored: Definitive Edition the perfect way to get caught up before the next entry releases!

Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition
Release Date: August 25
Platform(s):

Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars Saga Starter Pack (PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 3)

Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars Starter Pack (PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 3 / Xbox One / Xbox 360 / Wii U)
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+)

As we’ve discussed before on the Plug-In Blog, Disney Infinity 3.0 is coming, and now it’s finally here! Get set for epic Star Wars adventures with three different Play Sets coming this year: Twilight of the Republic, based on the Episodes I-III, Rise Against the Empire, based on Episodes IV-VI, and a third Play Set focusing on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, available this winter.

In addition to the regular Disney Infinity 3.0 Star Wars Starter Pack available on all major gaming platforms, there’s also a PlayStation exclusive “Star Wars Saga” Starter Pack that gives you everything in the regular kit, plus three additional figures (Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Boba Fett), and one additional Play Set (Rise Against the Empire).

For more information, check out the product links above, and take a look at my hands-on with Disney Infinity 3.0 at this year’s E3!

Additional games releasing in August 2015:

August 11

• XBlaze Lost: Memories (PlayStation 3 / PS Vita)
• Toy Soldiers: War Chest Hall of Fame Edition (PlayStation 4 / Xbox One)
• Paddington: Adventures in London (Nintendo 3DS)
• Garfield Kart (Nintendo 3DS)

August 18

• Dungeon Travelers 2: The Royal Library & The Monster Seal (PS Vita)
• Helldivers Super-Earth Ultimate Edition (PlayStation 4)

August 21

• LBX: Little Battlers eXperience (Nintendo 3DS)

August 25

• One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 (PlayStation 4)

Are there any games releasing this month you’re thinking of getting? Let me know in the comments section below!